Friday, April 24, 2009

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

This is our April book club selection. We’ve all known we should read it for years but just never did. Jill finally said we should do it and now we have. Wow, what a book.

Some things that stood out to me, and that were discussed in our book club. Nollie’s insistence that God will honor our honesty - she does it twice and things work out well both times. She was right. Corrie lied about the radio, but Nollie and her daughter refused to lie, trusting that it was better to obey God than to lie for a good cause.

There was some good discusion about the teaching from her father that some things are too heavy for us to bear just now, but God will give us the knowledge and strength just in time. We see this with her aunt Jans as she realizes she is dying and then again and again in the concentration camp. If they had known what was coming could they have persevered?

There are no ifs in God’s world. His timing is perfect. His will is our hiding place. Pray to Him to keep us in His will.

We were all moved by the part where she says there was no longer any distinction between prayer and real life. They had to depend on Him for everything and that included being grateful for everything (including the fleas) and forgiveness for their captors and tormentors.

Corrie was always thinking of the poor victims and how to help. Her father and Betsie were always thinking of the Germans and their need for love and grace to replace all the hate in their hearts. I want to be like Betsie - always caring for others, remembering the details of their lives, and showing love and concern for them.

The book was as wonderful as I've always heard it was. The message is so powerful and convicting and reassuring.

I too read the book many years ago and saw Ms. Ten Boom speak at a local church or the opera house or maybe local TV, I can't remember exactly where, it's been so long ago. Her account is heartbreaking but also so uplifting, you know that angels move among us. I pray I have even a small slice of her courage when my life and faith are tested.